Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]
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Cal/OSHA Seeks Huge Penalties in Refinery Explosion
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited ExxonMobil Refining for 19 alleged violations following an investigation into the February 18 explosion at the company’s Torrance refinery. The incident only slightly injured four workers, but investigators concluded that management had been aware of hazardous conditions at the unit in question, yet took no steps […]
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Standards Board Finally Gets Seats Filled
Gov. Jerry Brown has reappointed four current members of the Cal/OSH Standards Board and named two new members to Cal/OSHA’s rulemaking body. The appointments are being said to provide both stability and new faces to the board. The newly appointed members are Robert Blink, 62, of San Francisco, and John Sacco, 60, of Rocklin. Both […]
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Short Window to Comment on Heat Illness Guidance
Do you have questions about Cal/OSHA’s new revisions to the heat illness prevention regulation? Do you want the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to address your ideas and concerns in its updated guidance document on the regulation? You have to act fast – before Friday, March 6 if you want to weigh in. DOSH […]
Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web
News Digest 9-23-2021
Texas man killed in industrial accident at Alabama steel plant
In the last month and a half at least three men have lost their lives while on the job in North Alabama. The most recent death was Monday at a steel plant in Morgan County, when an an outside contractor from Texas reportedly was run over by a forklift as it was being moved onto or off of a trailer. WAFF
Congress considering $70K and $700K Fed-OSHA penalties
A Congressional committee has approved maximum penalties of $70,000 for serious items and $700,000 for repeated, willful, and failure-to-abate items for violations of Fed-OSHA standards. The move would mean more than a fivefold increase of maximum willful, repeated, and failure-to-abate violations, write Courtney M. Malveaux, Melanie L. Paul, Catherine A. Cano and Kristina T. Brooks of Jackson Lewis. The penalty increases mirror provisions in the “Protecting America’s Workers Act,” a measure that has been proposed in recent Congresses but has never passed. National Law Review
Retailers seek 90 days to comply with vaccination law
Two leading retail-sector trade groups asked the labor secretary to give companies 90 days of “lead time” to implement the forthcoming mandate for COVID-19 vaccination or testing for tens of millions of employees. The National Retail Federation and Retail Industry Leaders Association said the “extensive measures” businesses will need to implement require an ample window before enforcement begins. Bloomberg Law [may require registration]
Man dies weeks after falling off scaffolding at Pennsylvania hotel construction site
A 34-year-old York County, Pennsylvania man died Sunday, nearly three weeks after falling 50 feet off scaffolding at his construction job on August 31. He suffered significant injuries to his head, back and left lower extremity. Fed-OSHA is investigating. PennLive
Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country
This week is National Farm Safety and Health Week, an effort to raise awareness for the dangers farmers face every day. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agriculture sector is the most dangerous in the country. There are 573 fatalities each year in the farming profession, which equals 23 deaths per 100,000 employees. WQAD (Davenport, Iowa)
New restaurant safety measures expected
Fed-OSHA will start drafting additional safety standards for restaurant kitchens next month as part of a new Biden administration initiative to protect employees from dangerous heat, the White House announced Monday. Restaurant Business